Locking device

ABSTRACT

A retaining device for hand-held fire extinguishers is provided with retaining means (12) co-operable with linking means (18), in the form of a dislodgable or frangible panel, and locking means (28). In normal use, article (10) is removed by unlocking the means (28). In emergency, the article is accessed via (18).

This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 432,950, filed Sept. 30,1982, which was abondoned upon filing hereof.

This invention relates to a retaining device siutable for use inassociation with articles such as wall mounted fire extinguishers andother articles particularly those articles which require storing in apublic access area.

For illustrative purposes, the present invention will be described withreference to fire extinguishers. However it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to such applications and it may be used inassociation with whatever articles may be stored or supported in generalaccess areas.

At present, hand-held and operated fire extinguishers are often mountedin areas accessable to the public such as on walls, either internally orexternally of a building. The extinguishers are mounted by means of abracket assembly and a fastening clip which extends around and retainsthe extinguisher to the bracket. A disadvantage of this arrangement isthat the extinguisher may be easily tampered with and removal of thefire extinguisher from the bracket for the purpose of theft orunauthorised discharge is extremely easy. To overcome this problem,extinguishers are often arranged in a wall mounted box having a hingedglass front panel. Emergency access is gained to the extinguisher bybreaking the glass at the front of the box. In such a box the hingedfront is normally locked to the sides of the box such as to allow accessfor servicing purposes. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that thebox construction is expensive, relatively large in size and lacking inaesthetic appearance. Furthermore, theft of the extinguishers from suchboxes is relatively easy as most boxes include a screwed lid which maybe easily unscrewed to allow access to the interior of the box.

A further disadvantage of such boxes is that when the glass at the frontof the box is broken in emergency situations, pieces of the glass tendto remain fixed in the supporting frame. These glass fragments provide adangerous protrusion to a person trying to obtain quick access to theextinguisher within the box. Additionally, such conventional boxes alsodo not provide full visibility of the extinguisher such that in manysituations for example when one is in an emergency situation and islooking from the side or top of the box, it is difficult to locate theextinguisher or to determine whether the extinguisher is still in thebox.

The present invention aims to alleviate the above disadvantagesassociated with fire extinguisher storage and to provide an improvedlocking device for use with articles such as fire extinguishers or thelike. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description.

With the foregoing and other objects in view this invention in oneaspect resides broadly in a securing assembly for securing an article toa support in a selected location, said securing assembly includingretaining means and link means co-operable therewith so as to retainsaid article in said selected location and said link means beingremovable to permit said article to be removed from said location.

According to a further aspect, this invention resides broadly in asecuring assembly for securing an article to a support in a selectedlocation, said securing assembly including:

retaining means, link means and locking means, said retaining means andsaid link means being co-operable to retain said article in saidselected location; said locking means being releasable to permit saidarticle to be removed from said selected location, and said link meansbeing dislodgable to permit said article to be removed from saidselected location.

Preferably the link means is formed of a frangible material whereby itmay be removed or dislodged by being broken. In one form the link meanshas a glass panel.

Suitably the retaining means is adapted to extend part way around thearticle to be secured whereby the article may be removed from anoperative position within the retaining means to a position remotetherefrom and said link means is co-operable with said retaining meansto form therewith an enclosure about the article. Alternatively, theretaining means and the link means may limit the degree of freedom ofmovement of an article such that the article cannot be removed from itssecured location.

The locking means may be a selectively operatable lock such as a keyoperated lock or alternatively it may be in the form of a mechanicallysecurable confinement which can only be removed with the aid of aparticular tool or in a particular manner. It is also preferred that theretaining means be so dimentioned as to permit portions of the articlesbeing supported thereby to be visible beyond the extremities of thesecuring assembly. However, if desired the retaining means may be formedto completely encompass the article being secured.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put intopractical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical retaining deviceaccording to the present invention mounted about a fire extinguisher;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the locking device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are respective plan, elevation and side views of aretaining device for use with a large fire extinguisher;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are end views illustrating further alternative bodyassemblies for retaining devices according to a further aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the locking device associated withan alarm;

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative locking bracket for use with theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a conventional hand-held fireextinguisher 10 mounted on a bracket 11 which has a top portion 11awhich engages with the neck of the extinguisher and a lower portion (notshown) which supports a releasable clamp adopted to secure the body ofthe extinguisher to the bracket 11. The retaining device 12 according tothe present invention is mounted about the extinguisher 10 and thebracket 11 to prevent unauthorised removal of the extinguisher.

The arrangement of such conventional brackets 11 is such that after thereleasable clamp or strap fastener is released from the body of theextinguisher 10, the latter must be moved outwardly to free it from themounting bracket 11. Such removal is prevented by the retaining device12.

As is clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the locking device 12 is generallychannel-shaped in cross-section and includes a pair of outwardlydiverging walls or arms 13 and 14 extending from a base portion 15 whichis adapted to be supported behind or to the support bracket 11 such thatit is secured fixedly to the wall or other mounting surface. The walls13 and 14 extend outwardly on either side of the extinguisher 10 mountedon the support bracket 11 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.Preferably the device is formed of stainless steel and as shown, the topand bottom of the extinguisher extend beyond the device 12 and are thusvisible from all directions. The free edges of each side wall 13 and 14are bent outwardly to define opposite channel portions 16 and 17respectively which are adapted to receive the side edges 18a of afracturable panel 18 suitably formed of glass or the like or otherdislodgable member.

Each channel portion 16 and 17 has an aperture 21 formed substantiallycentrally in the back flange thereof and a reinforcing strip 22 isprovided for engagement within the respective apertures 21. The strip 22includes tag portions 23 and 24 at each end which engage within therespective apertures 21. Preferably the tag 23 is formed into a dog legshape whilst the other tag 24 is formed into a cam surface in the mannerillustrated. The tags 23 and 24 are spaced apart a distance slightlyless than the distance between the apertures 21 such that when the tags23 and 24 are moved into engagement with the respective apertures 21,the walls 13 and 14 of the channel will be forced inwardly into aslightly stressed state. This action is facilitated by the cam surfaceof the tag 24. The strip 22 prevents the walls 13 and 14 being flexedoutwardly to free the panel edges 18a from the channel portions 16 and17.

When it is desired to lock the extinguisher in position, the strip 22 isfirstly engaged with the respective apertures 21 to pull the walls 13and 14 slightly inwardly. The rectangular piece of glass 18 or otherfrangible material is then slid or moved into engagement with thechannel portions 16 and 17 until it rests against the lower stop member20 which may be a rivet passing through the flanges of the respectivechannel portions 16 and 17 as illustrated. The locking strip is thenretained in its operative position since the glass 18 preventsdisengagement of the tag portions 23 and 24 from the aperture 21. Apadlock 28 may be engaged through the aligned apertures 26 and 27 in thespaced flanges of one channel portion 16 and positioned above the upperedge of the panel 18 to lock the glass in place.

When it is desired to gain access to the fire extinguisher for servicingpurposes, the padlock 28 is removed so that the panel 18 can bewithdrawn from the device 12. The walls 13 and 14 will then tend to moveslightly outwardly and the camming surface of the tag 24 will causedisengagement between the tag 24 and its associated aperture 21. Thestrip 22 will then normally pivot downwardly about the tag 23 which willbe retained in its aperture 21. Free access can then be had to theextinguisher 10. If the extinguisher is required in an emergency, theglass panel 18 may be dislodged such as by being smashed and the brokenpieces and fragments thereof will fall in an unimpeded manner downwardlyso that no broken fragments will present a danger to the user. Breakingof the glass will also cause the locking strip to spring outwardly atthe cam end and pivot downwardly so that free access can be had to theextinguisher. Any attempt to illegally remove the extinguisher bybreaking of the glass will result in alerting persons to the presence ofan intruder. As stated previously, the device 12 is mounted behind or tothe conventional extinguisher mounting bracket. For this purpose, thebase 15 is provided with apertures which may be aligned with aperturesin the bracket so that one set of screws may be passed therethrough tomount the bracket and device to a wall or the like. The screws are sosituated as to be behind the extinguisher 10 when the extinguisher 10 ismounted to the bracket 11. This ensures that the bracket 11 or device 12cannot be removed from a wall unless the extinguisher is first removedfrom its bracket 11. Unauthorised discharge of the extinguisher isprovided by either forming the bracket such that the trigger is retainedby the bracket and cannot be actuated until the extinguisher is removedor by positioning the trigger locking pin head against the mountingsurface whereby it is inaccessible so that the extinguisher cannot bedischarged without first removing it from its supported attitude in thedevice of the present invention.

In an alternative arrangement for use with an alternative mountingbracket, a hasp is provided on the base wall of the device. Such analternative bracket includes a pair of mounting apertures at each endthereof and an intermediate shoulder. To mount the locking device to thebracket, the lower pair of bracket mounting screws are removed and thefree end of the bracket passed between the hasp and base wall until thehasp abuts the bracket shoulder. The screws may then be re-affixed. Theabutment between the hasp and bracket shoulder prevents upward movementof the locking device 12.

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 is such that full visibility ofthe top and bottom of the extinguisher 10 is provided from all viewingpositions. Further, the conventional extinguisher clip which attachesthe extinguisher to the bracket may be eliminated if the glass panel 18is arranged at such a close proximity to the extinguisher that itprevents any substantial outward movement thereof.

In lieu of the padlock, the glass panel may be retained by a spring clipor other device which permits the glass to be slid into positionwhereupon the clip will move to an operative position behind the glassto prevent its removal. A screw fastening could also be provided forthis purpose. However it is preferred that whatever locking device isemployed it is arranged for unlocking or release by authorised personsonly or persons equipped with the necessary know-how or equipment. Also,the channel shaped bracket could be made sufficiently rigid to preventthe opposite sides being sprung to release the glass. Of course for thispurpose the bracket could be formed of tubular material or otherwise asdesired. Additionally, in installations in which the article beingsecured does not require servicing, the releasable locking means may beomitted so that the only way to release the article thereby secured isto break or dislodge the link member interconnecting the side panels ofthe device or other retaining means as desired.

In an alternative arrangement shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lockingdevice 12b is illustrated associated with a large fire extinguisher 30.In such case, the fire extinguisher 30 is normally provided with aconventional hook type bracket 31. This is mounted to or adjacent thebase of the locking device as illustrated in the drawings. The lockingdevice is substantially of the same form as that described above.However in this embodiment the extinguisher is engaged beneath the loweredge 19b of the glass panel 18b which is fitted to the device 12b andlocked in position by the lock 28b as aforesaid. This will preventremoval of the extinguisher from its supporting bracket 31 unless thepanel is broken or itself removed as the extinguisher must be lifted tobe freed from the bracket 31. Furthermore as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and5, the locking pin 32 associated with the handle of the extinguisherwill be unable to be withdrawn as it is disposed adjacent to the glasspanel 18b. This will prevent unauthorised operation of the extinguisher.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative arrangements which may be used formounting the frangible glass panel. In FIG. 6 the channel is eliminatedand replaced with two extruded or otherwise fabricated sections whichmay be individually affixed to the wall. In FIG. 7 the channel is formedin two parts, slidable relative to each other and lockable in a desiredposition so as to accommodate different sizes of extinguisher.

If required an alarm can be fitted to the system such as by use of analarm box 38 of the type shown in FIG 8. The alarm box 38 is fitted tothe outer side of one wall 14 of the device and includes a microswitchthe operating portion or button of which is aligned with the aperture21. Engagement of the camming projection 24 of the locking strip 22within its respective aperture 21 and consequently with the micro-switchactuating lever, will cause the deactivation of the switch whilstwithdrawal of the strip and camming projection will cause the switch tooperate. This of course will occur automatically when the glass isbroken. The switch may be used to switch an alarm to either indicate afire or the presence of an intruder. The switch may also be used inplace of a manual call point so that actuation thereof will result in asignal being transmitted to the fire brigade. Thus, a dual function isprovided which may result in a critical saving in time in summonsing thefire brigade in emergency situations. Of course, the switch may bemounted in any convenient fashion. In an alternative arrangement, theswitch may include an activating lever which will be contacted by theglass when the glass is in its operative position so as to deactivatethe switch. Breaking of the glass and subsequent fallaway will thencause the switch to activate automatically. Alternatively a magneticallyactuated reed switch may be utilized. In such arrangement the reedswitch could be deactivated by the presence of a magnetic body, e.g. afire extinguisher, and activated upon removal of that body.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention adapted formanufacture utilizing basic sheet metal working equipment which ingeneral cannot be utilized to fold the channel shaped bracketillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and incorporating a channel section at eachfree edge. As shown, the retaining device 50 is generally channel shapedin cross-section and has a pair of outwardly diverging walls 51extending from a base wall 52 which is adapted to be mounted behind thenormal fire extinguisher support bracket such that the opposite walls 51of the locking device 50 are disposed on either side of an extinguishermounted on the support bracket. The free edges of each side wall 51 arebent outwardly to define opposite ledge portions 53 and 54 respectively,the ledge portion 53 being bent upwardly to provide a stop member 55 andthe ledge portion 54 on the opposite side of the locking device beingbent in the manner shown to form a channel 56 the purpose of which willhereinafter become apparent.

Each ledge portion 53 and 54 has an aperture 57 formed centrally thereofand a locking strip 58 is also provided, the strip 58 having tags 59 asshown in FIG. 9 at its opposite ends each adapted to engage with arespective aperture 57 whereby to prevent the walls 51 of the lockingdevice 50 from moving outwardly. A rectangular piece of glass 60 is thenplaced over the locking strip to be supported on the respective ledgeportions 53 and 54 in the manner shown, one edge of the glass beingclosely received within the channel 56 and the other edge beingsubstantially in engagement with the stop member 55. A locking bar 61 ofgenerally U-shaped form is adapted to be engaged about the ledge portion53 and the adjacent edge of the glass 60 and the free ends of thelocking bar have apertures 63 which may be aligned with the aperture 69so as to receive a conventional lock to lock the glass 60 to the walls51. When the device is in its substantially vertical operative attitude,the lock ensures that the glass will not drop out whilst the U-shapedbar 61 ensures that the glass cannot be withdrawn upwardly. The stopmember 55 is of greater height than the thickness of the glass panel 18so that it also acts as a stop to the U-shaped bar 25 to prevent itbeing moved or pivoted outwardly.

To gain access to the fire extinguisher for servicing purposes, theconventional lock is remvoed from the locking bar apertures 63 so thatthe locking bar 62 can be removed from engagement with the glass 60 andledge portion 53. The glass 60 can then be removed and then the lockingstrip 58 such as to allow access to the extinguisher.

If the extinguisher is required in an emergency the glass 60 is brokensuch as to allow removal of the locking strip 58 and access to theextinguisher. The side walls 51 of the device are so sized that theextinguisher cannot be removed from its conventional bracket withoutremoval of the glass 60 and the locking bar 58. Any attempt to illegallyremove the extinguisher by breaking of the glass 60 will result inalerting persons to the presence of the intruder.

As an alternative to the U-shaped locking bar 61, a bar 64 of the typeshown in FIG. 10 may be employed. This bar 64 has U-shaped portion 65 atone end thereof adapted to be engaged about the glass 60 and ledgeportion 53 and an aperture 66 at the other end adapted to be engage withan upstanding post 67 fixed to the ledge portion 53. The post 67 has anaperture 68 therein which is adapted to receive a conventional lock sothat the glass is locked to the ledge portion 53.

In a further embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, thelocking device 70 includes a chain or cable 71 which extends about thearticle 72 and its associated mounting structure and the opposite freeends of which are connected to respective members 73 and 74 of channelshaped cross-section which, in this embodiment, are arcuate in form andare interconnected by means of a piece of glass 75 which is adhered toeach arcuate channel member. One end of the chain or cable is preferablyattached to one arcuate channel member by means of conventional lock 76so that access may be gained to the fire extinguisher for servicingpurposes.

In an emergency, all that is necessary is that the glass 75 be brokenwhich will thus disconnect the arcuate channel members and allow accessto the extinguisher. However, the fact that the glass has to be brokenbefore access can be gained to the article will deter thieves. Ofcourse, the members 73 and 74 may be of any form. The glass has to bebroken to allow access to the extinguisher in emergency situationswhilst any attempt to steal the extinguisher will also require the glassto be broken which will alert persons to the presence of the theft orunauthorised use of the article.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a maintenance freeand compact and aesthetically pleasing device which may be mounted inany desired position and which is suitable particularly where limitedspace is available. The sides of the device may be made either rigid orflexible whilst the whole device may be made in one piece as part of anexisting fire extinguisher bracket. Further, the locking devices may beeasily stacked for transporting purposes and easily mounted to existingfire extinguishers. The device is also suitable for locking othersimilarly mounted apparati, as well as all types of extinguishers.

The articles which may be retained by devices of the present inventioncould be for example dispensing bottles of spirits which for salespurposes have to be visible while at the same time requiring retainingmeans for safe keeping, or communication equipment. Furthermore thedevice may be made to extend the full length of the article beingretained and if used in exposed locations a suitable top shield may beincorporated into the device.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of theinvention, it should be realised that many variations and modificationsmay be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing fromthe broad scope and ambit of the invention as is defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A bracket assembly for securing a fire extinguisher assemblycomprising a fire extinguisher and associated holding means, to asupporting surface, said bracket assembly including a bracket in whichsaid holding means may be secured to a supporting surface and abreakable panel for securing the extinguisher in said bracket, thelatter being an open ended channel shaped bracket formed to partlysurround the fire extinguisher assembly to be secured thereby and toleave the end portions of the fire extinguisher visible beyond the openends of said bracket and having a pair of spaced apart free edgeportions extending between said open ends and each said free edgeportion being provided with channel supporting means supportingrespective opposed side portions of said breakable panel and betweenwhich the fire extinguisher may pass from and into said channel shapedbracket and releasable locking means engaged with said bracket toprevent release of said breakable panel from said supporting means andthereby in use prevent release of a fire extinguisher from itsassociated holding means secured within said bracket without eitherbreaking said breakable panel or releasing said locking means and saidbreakable panel from said supporting means.
 2. A bracket assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein said breakable panel is slidably receivedin said channels.
 3. A bracket assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid bracket includes a base wall portion engageable against asupporting surface and apertured to permit mechanical fastening means topass from said holding means through the apertures in said base wallportion and into the supporting surface.
 4. A bracket assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said bracket is formed from a flexible material andthere is provided a strip to maintain said supporting channels engagedabout said side portions and having opposite end projections engaged inapertures formed in said supporting channels and said strip being heldengaged in said apertures by said panel.
 5. A bracket assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said bracket is a rigid bracket.
 6. A bracketassembly according to claim 1, wherein said holding means includes aclip which has to be released to free the extinguisher therefrom andwherein said breakable panel precludes access to said clip.
 7. A bracketassembly according to claim 6, wherein said bracket includes a catchportion which locates about the fire extinguisher to prevent verticalmovement of the extinguisher.
 8. Bracket means for preventing removal ofan article from means supporting the article comprising:a retainingassembly securable to the supporting means and engageable with or by thearticle to prevent removal thereof from the supporting means, saidassembly including: a retaining bracket formed of a flexible materialand having a base portion adapted to be secured to the supporting meansand spaced flanges extending away from said base portion and having freeedges each comprising a channel portion; link means including afrangible panel forceably dislodgeable or freely removable from saidassembly to enable removal of the article from the supporting means,said channel portions being adapted to slidably receive respective edgeportions of said frangible panel to retain the same; said link meansfurther including a catch assembly comprising a strip adapted to extendbetween said flanges and having opposite end projections adapted toengage in respective apertures formed in said channel portions tomaintain the same engaged about said edge portions, said strip in usebeing held by said panel in operative engagement with said apertures;and lock mounting means for reception of releasable locking meansengageable with said panel and said bracket to lock said panel to saidbracket to prevent free removal of said panel but being releasable toenable free removal of said panel from said bracket.